New scholarship for high achievers

Professor Alex Zelinsky

High-achieving Central Coast Year 12 students headed for university this year could benefit from a new scholarship program at the University of Newcastle.

The University of Newcastle Academic High Performers Scholarships program will award 20 scholarships per year, recognising the exceptional academic achievements of students starting an undergraduate program.

Valued at $10,000 per year for the duration of their degree, the scholarships will also give students access to leadership training and academic mentoring programs.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky said the scholarship program was a way to support exceptional students who had entered the university via a number of ways such as the Schools Recommendation Scheme, as a Year 12 School Leaver, through an Enabling Program, or as school Dux of a regional high school.

“Through this flagship scholarship program, we are proud to be supporting high achieving, academically accomplished students who are embarking on their higher education journey,” Zelinsky said.

“We know this is an important way to support the aspirations of students right across our regions.”

University-funded, the new program will complement the university’s suite of current scholarships, including those funded by donors.

“The University of Newcastle has a strong track record of supporting students from all walks of life to achieve in their academic endeavours,” Zelinsky said.

“We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of our donors who help our students pursue their dreams.

“Adding the University-funded Academic Excellence High Performers Scholarship Program to our scholarship portfolio expands the range of financial support available to commencing students.

“We offer scholarships to students facing hardship, Indigenous students, to those facing physical, mental, financial or medical hardship, to students who have a regional or remote disadvantage, and now to students who are leading the state.

“We know all of these students can achieve great things at university and beyond.

“We want to recognise the pursuit of excellence and this new scholarship program will help us to deliver on that ambition.

“And even if people don’t join our university with a scholarship, they can still be rewarded for high performance through our annual Continuing Students Excellence Scholarships – for top performers in each college – which are announced in January.”

The new Academic High Performers Scholarships are available each year to students who commence undergraduate studies through one of five ways: Year 12 school leavers (an ATAR or equivalent of 99 or higher is required); Indigenous Year 12 school leavers (an ATAR or equivalent of 95 or higher is required); the Schools Recommendation Scheme; Enabling Programs (with a selection rank or equivalent of 95 or higher); and Regional High School Dux (an ATAR or equivalent of 95 or higher is required).

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)s for 2021 NSW HSC students were released at 9am on Thursday, January 20.

To find out more about the Academic Excellence Scholarships visit https://www.newcastle.edu.au/scholarships/academic-excellence-scholarships.

Source:

Media release, Jan 14 University of Newcastle